TO CATCH A FLYCATCHER (IN WAYQECHA)

By Timothy Dennler-Church
October 2017

Arriving in the cloud forest at Wayqecha is like pouring milk on your cereal. You know the smooth milk will mix nicely with the crunchy flakes, yet the simple act of pouring never ceases to satisfy. So is the arrival experience when coming upon the wonder of the Cloud Forest of Wayqecha-you have known all along to expect the refreshing moisture of the floating sky, but the satisfaction of immersing your crunchy explorer’s outer crust in the silky layers just never fades (no matter how soggy the results!) Here are some reasons why:

Wayqecha Biological Station was established in 2005 in the cloud forest of the Kcosnipata Valley in Cusco, Peru, and is host to a recorded 625 species². The physical conditions of the cloud forest at Wayqecha set the stage for a unique and rich environment. With an average annual temperature of 12.5 ^oC, Wayqecha provided us with a refreshing cold that we all craved following our stay at Cocha Cashu in the Amazon rainforest. Wayqecha receives an average of 1.6 meters of rainfall annually¹, much of which comes from condensation due to the high altitude of 2300-3500 meters¹ where moisture transpired by the extensive fauna of the Amazon basin is squeezed out of the atmosphere like a giant gaseous sponge pressed against the eastern face of the Andes². 

A typical view of the cloud forest fauna at Wayqecha. Lichen and mosses are ubiquitous to cloud forest ecology, exhibiting obvious adaptions for the absorption of air moisture such as increased surface area.

My first day at Wayqecha I stayed out to watch the sunset and was able to observe the process of clouds enveloping the whole sky mere minutes after the sun dipped below the horizon, a sight that put into perspective just how much moisture the skies hold. One must not be fooled though by the cool moist air, as the elevation of the cloud forest means higher levels of UV radiation. The warmth of the sun may seem gentle and welcoming to the skin, but just as many of the cloud forest plants have developed cuticles to combat UV-rays, you too should apply sunscreen to protect from UV damage.

Looking out from Wayqecha at the Amazon basin,
which is masked by clouds.

On our second day at Wayqecha we took a walk down the road to the south-west of the station to a trail system that led to several sky-bridges. The steeper terrain of these trail systems hosted different species than were found around the station. Bracken fern was very prevalent, and the occasional call of fruit-eaters could be heard through the trees. The skybridge system on this trail allowed us to see the forest from a new perspective, with the ability to look down on the canopy and see the flowers of tall trees close up. I also observed some various species of bamboo, some of which were solid, others hollow, some spiked, and some not. It is easy to get carried away in the beauty of the cloud forest ecosystem to look up and be lost in a blanket of fog which settles so quickly as the temperature cools. As we marveled at the canopy from the skybridge, we noticed the clouds quickly rolling in and became enveloped in the clouds and the forest in minutes, almost panicking at the thought of being lost in the fog.

Diverse micro-climates produced by varying elevation, soil qualities, sun exposure, and other conditions give rise to an exceptionally diverse ecosystem at wayqecha. Orchids, ferns, mosses, and lichen are ubiquitous to cloud forests, but the species you will find within these groups are various. The quality of soil in cloud forests is dramatically different than at lower elevations to the east of the Andes. Lower temperatures mean slower metabolism of organic matter, so the soil is thick and moist, providing great habitat for insects. The lower temperatures also means that plants grow more slowly as well. From plants to bugs to birds you are likely to see more new species every day than you can possibly record or remember. In one day of casual note-taking I was able to identify species of birds including the Great Thrush, Masked Flower-Piercer, Moustached Flower-Piercer, Rufous-Collared Sparrow, and Andean Guan. A 200 meter hike in the cloud forest at Wayquecha can easily take over an hour before you think to check the time. With every step in a new lichen, bug, or bird to stop and observe³.

A sketch of a Moustached flower-piercer that I saw while mistnetting on the north-east side of the station.

A dead beetle (Order: Coleoptera) we found to the north-east of the station. Ursula took this opportunity to show us the outer wing layer called the elytra, and how the wings fold up underneath the elytra.

Cloud forests play a very important role in the water cycles of the Andes and Amazon basin. The vegetation of the cloud forests is important for water retention and prevention of flooding and landslides. These areas are also important spawning grounds for the majority of migratory fish in the Amazon basin, which are vital source of protein for people and other animals in the region. The conservation of cloud forest ecosystems such as the cloud forest at Wayqecha is not only important for the many species which is living in that specific region, but is vital to the health of the lowland Amazon Basin as well.

Sources:

1    http://www.acca.org.pe/nuestras-estaciones-biologicas/wayqecha-ebw/

2    http://www.amazonconservation.org/ourwork/research_wayqecha.html

3    https://www.inaturalist.org/places/wayqecha-biological-station

About me

I am a 4^th year student at UW Bothell pursuing a double major in biology and biochemistry. In my free time I like to brew fruit wines and ciders, which I hope to someday turn into a career. After graduation I plan to pursue further studies in the areas of neuroscience or neurology.